I'll never let her go

It's been twenty four years since I first laid eyes on her beauty. My best friend & I had entered a small grocery store in the heart of Oklahoma City when she caught both our eyes. Her brunette hair shined in the florescent lighting & she had the face of a Goddess. I was currently seeing someone, but when my best bud was too shy to speak to her, I jumped at the chance; on HIS behalf ofcourse. I felt her eyes pierce through me as I advanced her, and when I arrived at my destination, I was more than confident speaking on my friend's behalf. "Hey, you see that guy over there? He would like to take you to dinner" She paused, looked me up & down; and responded, "Well, What if I wanna' go out with YOU?" I was shocked at her directness...and although I immediately felt a comnection, she was ruining my plan....and I was NO CHEATER. "What? I have a girlfriend! But listen, my friend is a great guy & he'd REALLY like to take you out" She peered in his direction again. Smiled & said, "OL" She was quick to write down her number & I was excited to present it to my best friend....minus her rebuttal ofcourse.

The four of us double dated frequently & I can remember my long time girlfriend not caring for this beautiful & witty woman I had secured for my pal. She complained of the "spark" between she & I and was relieved when my buddy called it quits after a short romance. I felt as if I'd lost a good friend, but dared not pursue a personal friendship with her, just because of the moral circumstances in general. I never forgot Shannon, and I thought of her often.

Fast forward five years and many a girlfriend later, I was managing a Health Food Store myself, and placed an ad in the newspaper for an experienced cashier

I'll be darned if the ad wasn't answered by the female friend that still crossed my mind from time to time. Even though we were both married at the time, our witted connection of friendship seemed to have not lost it's luster even after so much time had passed. We worked together for eight years side by side. She advanced quickly and our families would enjoy barbeques and outings together
I was fond of her husband & my wife was fond of my longtime female friend. I cannot say that there wasn't a deep seeded physical attraction between us, but I CAN say that we ALWAYS stayed true to our spouses, and we were both VERY careful to never be left alone together. She was there for the birth of my first son, and I was there for the birth of hers. It was a dandy friendship, and after eight years of being coworkers, I was transferred to Topeka Kansas for the opening of a new location.

After my move, we would sometimes communicate business over the phones at work, but seemed to lose touch in the hustle & bustle of family life.

I worked for the company in question four more years before it changed owners & the new management offered to keep me on, but at the cost of a drastic pay cut. I saud my farewells & ventured home to Oklahoma.

It was not long after viewing my telephone bill & noticed midnight phone calls to my old location & my when questioned, my wife admitted an affair wirh one of my coworkers at my previous location. I was heartbroken, and seeked advice from the ONE WOMAN, I KNEW could sooth the savage beast.

Upon investigation, I was shocked to learn that she had left our former company about the same time I had. She had completed school and was now a respected associate at Oklahoma's Department of Education, and I dared not worry her with the issues of a non-educated buddy of retail from way back when. I saught divorce from my spouse, and moved on with my life.

Four years later, while occupying a Produce Manager role in a respected large rerail location, She walked in. She was beautiful as ever, and seemed excited to see me. I took a long lunch break as we sat on a park bench and I filled her in on my life. I explained that I had learned of her accomplishments and was very proud of her. She scorned me for not contacting her. She explained that SHE TOO, had been the victim of infidelity by her longtime husband and they'd divorced about the same timeframe as my wife and I. She then raised an eyebrow and asked if I'd ever considered the possibility of she and I. I was flabbergasted! Ofcourse I had, but just like her advancement twelve years earlier, She couldn't have picked a worse time to bring it up! You see, I had just moved in my pregnant girlfriend of two years......and although it was a rocky relationship, it WAS a committed one. I hung my head as I explained my situation. She hung hers as she listened. We embraced and said our farewells....not daring to exchange numbers.

It was five years later that I lonely placed my internet dating ad, and it took only eight hours to discover that I'd been flooded with responses....one of which truly intrigued me. It was my old friend Shannon, and; as time held true....That beautiful face still seemed excited to see this ugly mug. We exchanged two written messages before she presented me with her number. I called immediately & we set a reunion.....same day......to take our early teen boys swimming together.

I moved in a week later. We married in Vegas ninety days later. Our son Logan was born nine months later.

The foundation of longtime friendship and constant faithfulness to wayward spouses gives us a sense of trust and security that I wish all couples could share.

The day I realized my love for her was the day I realized that I've loved her for a Lifetime.....and although we've had our share of arguments, negative actions, worldly resentment, & many a night of my sleeping on a relative's sofa........I ALWAYS come home, and she ALWAYS greets me with open arms and an apology.

I love my wife more than the air I breathe......and I swear with God as my witness........I will NEVER.....let her go.